“Special” US Captain two-year-old wins again
Two-year-old US Captain gelding, Hawaiian Warfare, took his career record to five starts, four wins and one third on Tuesday when successful at Harrington Raceway in Delaware.
Trained by Erin Neilson, Hawaiian Warfare was resuming after a brief spell away with sickness when lining up in the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund 2YO Colts and Geldings Preparation pace.
Drawing barrier four, the two-year-old showed his dominance and brilliant speed by asserting himself to the lead in the early stages.
Racing into the home straight bolding Hawaiian Warfare maintained his lead, holding off the late challenges and lifting again tenaciously to win the prep race by a nose.
It was the geldings fourth win in succession, and his trainer was elated that he was able to return to the track a winner after his freshener.
“I’m very happy with him and how he is coming along,” Erin said.
“He is such a fun horse to race!”
“He has one more preparation race next Monday and then the following Monday is the first leg of the Delaware Stakes.”
Regular driver Mike Cole has been excited about Hawaiian Warfare ever since he sat behind him for the first time.
Mike is the brother of Erin Neilson, and has assisted with the horses schooling and education.
“He’s special,” Mike said.
“From the first time I sat behind him he just had ability. No matter what you asked him to do, he just goes on command and doesn’t fire up. He just does what he is supposed to.”
The first trial for Hawaiian Warfare gave further indication that this horse had a serious motor.
“That first qualifier he came home in 28 seconds, he just did it so handy. I knew we had something special right then.”
“He’s very mature. In his first race he was against older horses, so I took him back off the pace from post seven and at the top of the straight I let his head loose and he wore them down pretty good. Another ten foot and he would’ve won that race, he ended up up third.”
Despite the huge ability, Mike has been cautious to treat each race as an education and continue to develop the horse.
“At Chester I wanted to educate him and not show him off too much. So I pulled him back to third, but then when I pulled him out he just hit a gear I didn’t know he had. That was just a training mile for him really, but he won well.”
“I’m really not a fan of him leading up right now, in front he’ll go as fast as he has to, to win the race.”
“Yesterday he didn’t see the horse on the inside until late, and he just lifts again. In front he can work his ears a little and look around and wait for them, I really feel if he sees one in front of them he’ll run anything down.”
Mike and Erin are working on some gear changes to the horses head gear to allow him to focus, but see his rivals coming.
“We’ll do some work with some blinds for him, and just see what helps him. But I’m not worried about it at all.”
“He doesn’t cheat, he just does whatever he has to to win.”
“He’s just got great manners, great gait and a great attitude. He’s got huge speed too. We’ve taken our time with him and haven’t pushed him. We’ve not pushed him hard yet, put it that way.”
Hawaiian Warfare is out of Ukelele Blue Chip, a mare by Stay Hungry, and was bred by his owner Forrest Bartlett.
US Captain stands at Wai Eyre Farm this season for $3,000 plus GST for New Zealand breeders, and is available in Australia for $3,300 including GST.
Mares served at Wai Eyre Farm or Macca Lodge will have the working fee included in their service fee.
All seven of US Captains North American foals have now raced or qualified, with two winners to date.
He served an impressive book of 94 mares in New Zealand last season, with his first foals due now.
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